Joe’s Mental Health

Dr. Luka Kovaฤ:
“When it comes to the mind, Joe, we must remember that it is not separate from the body. What you eat, drink, and surround yourself withโ€”these all play a role in balance. Let me give you a list I recommend for mental health.”

Foods for Mental Health:

  • Fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) โ€“ omega-3s for brain function
  • Nuts and seeds (walnuts, flaxseeds, chia, pumpkin seeds) โ€“ mood stabilizers
  • Whole grains (brown rice, oats, quinoa) โ€“ slow-release energy, stabilizing blood sugar
  • Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard) โ€“ folate and magnesium
  • Berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries) โ€“ antioxidants against stress
  • Bananas โ€“ natural serotonin booster
  • Avocados โ€“ healthy fats for the brain
  • Fermented foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi) โ€“ gut health linked to mental health
  • Dark chocolate (in moderation) โ€“ dopamine and serotonin enhancer

Water:

  • Clean mineral-rich spring water, or filtered water with trace minerals added
  • Herbal infusions like chamomile or lemon balm tea for calmness
  • Limit caffeinated and sugary drinks, as they spike anxiety

Vitamins & Minerals:

  • Vitamin D โ€“ sunshine vitamin, crucial for mood
  • Vitamin B complex โ€“ especially B6, B9 (folate), B12 for nervous system balance
  • Vitamin C โ€“ supports stress response
  • Magnesium โ€“ relaxes the nervous system, reduces anxiety
  • Zinc โ€“ supports brain function and mood regulation
  • Selenium โ€“ antioxidant, stabilizes mood

Herbs & Roots:

  • Ashwagandha โ€“ adaptogen for stress relief
  • Rhodiola โ€“ energy and resilience against burnout
  • Valerian root โ€“ for rest and sleep
  • Ginseng โ€“ mental clarity and focus
  • Turmeric (curcumin) โ€“ anti-inflammatory for brain health
  • Ginger โ€“ circulation and mental alertness
  • St. Johnโ€™s Wort โ€“ for mild depression (with medical caution for interactions)

Supplements:

  • Omega-3 fish oil or algae oil capsules
  • Probiotics for gut-brain axis health
  • L-theanine (from green tea) โ€“ calm alertness
  • 5-HTP โ€“ supports serotonin (taken only under medical guidance)

Lifestyle & Natural Therapies:

  • Daily exercise: even 20โ€“30 minutes of walking or light training improves mood
  • Sunshine: at least 15 minutes of direct light on skin daily for Vitamin D
  • Time in nature: forests, oceans, mountains โ€“ reset the nervous system
  • Deep breathing and meditation practices
  • Social connection and laughter โ€“ the best natural medicine

Dr. Kovaฤ smiles:
“These things together create resilience. Not one pill, but a lifestyle of balance. Medicine should not only be what we prescribe, but how we live.”

Vinko’s Cancer Run Down

[Scene: Lukaโ€™s small clinic in Dalmatia. The Adriatic light spills in through the window. Vinko sits nervously on the chair across from Luka, who leans forward with a notebook, speaking softly but firmly.]

Luka:
Vinkoโ€ฆ listen to me. Cancer is a hard enemy. But the body is not helpless. Every choice you make โ€” every sip, every bite โ€” can tip the scales. Think of this as arming yourself for war.

Vinko:
Iโ€™ll do whatever it takes, Luka. Tell me what I need.

Luka:
First, water. Only clean, filtered, mineral-rich. If you can, alkaline water, pH seven or eight. Drink plenty. Hydration is your foundation.

Vinko:
And food?

Luka:
Fruits โ€” natureโ€™s medicine. Apricots, and yes, the apricot seedsโ€ฆ they contain compounds people believe can fight cancer. Berries โ€” blueberries, raspberries, blackberries โ€” full of antioxidants. Grapes with resveratrol, pomegranates rich in polyphenols, papaya with papain. Citrus fruits, apples with their skins. These are not luxuries; they are ammunition.

Vinko:
I like apples.

Luka:
Good. Eat them whole. Now vegetables. The cruciferous family โ€” broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts โ€” they carry compounds that break down cancerโ€™s defenses. And donโ€™t forget your allies: leeks, onions, garlic. These humble foods have power. Spinach, beets, carrots, tomatoes โ€” each one a weapon.

Vinko:
Garlic my grandmother always swore by.

Luka:
She was right. The old ways knew truth. Then, herbs and roots. Turmeric โ€” the golden spice, with curcumin to calm inflammation. Ginger for circulation, ginseng and astragalus to strengthen your immunity. Milk thistle protects your liver, moringa nourishes every cell. Burdock root, Essiac teaโ€ฆ these are old allies from many traditions. Green tea, especially matcha, fights with antioxidants.

Vinko:
And supplements?

Luka:
Yes. Vitamin D3 with K2 โ€” most of us here are deficient. Vitamin C, even high doses under supervision, can help the immune system. Magnesium, zinc, selenium. Omega-3s from flax or fish oil. Probiotics for the gut. Medicinal mushrooms โ€” reishi, shiitake, maitake, turkey tail โ€” they teach your immune system how to fight. Coenzyme Q10 for your mitochondria.

Vinko:
Itโ€™s a lot, Lukaโ€ฆ

Luka:
I know. But cancer thrives on weakness. We cut off its supply. That means no processed sugar, no refined white bread, no sausages full of nitrates, no trans fats, no chemicals, no alcohol. Only clean, real food.

Vinko:
And the maple syrup and baking soda I heard about?

Luka:
Yesโ€ฆ some use it. The theory is simple: cancer cells crave sugar, so maple syrup draws them in. The baking soda delivers alkalinity that disrupts them. It is controversial, not accepted in hospitals, but I have seen people try it. If you do, you do it carefully, in balance with everything else.

Vinko:
So, food as medicine.

Luka:
Exactly. Food, water, herbs, roots, supplements. And your spirit. You must believe you are not a victim, Vinko. You are a fighter. Every meal, every sip, every breath โ€” you remind the cancer: I am stronger than you.

[Vinko nods, tears in his eyes. Luka puts a steady hand on his shoulder.]

Luka:
We fight together. You, me, and every root and seed the earth gave us.

๐ŸŒŠ Water & Alkalinity

  • Alkaline water (pH ~7โ€“8) โ€“ believed by some to help balance body pH.
  • Filtered spring water โ€“ clean, mineral-rich water supports detoxification.
  • Hydration โ€“ at least 2โ€“3 liters daily for cellular health.

๐Ÿฏ Alternative Remedies

  • Maple syrup + baking soda mixture โ€“ promoted in some alternative circles (controversial, no mainstream medical backing). Idea: maple syrup carries baking soda to cancer cells (since cancer feeds on sugar).
  • Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) โ€“ alkalinizing agent, sometimes suggested in moderation.

๐ŸŽ Anti-Cancer Fruits

  • Apricots & apricot seeds (B17/laetrile/amygladin) โ€“ often cited in natural cancer circles.
  • Berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries) โ€“ rich in anthocyanins & antioxidants.
  • Pomegranates โ€“ high in ellagic acid, polyphenols.
  • Grapes (especially red/purple) โ€“ resveratrol-rich.
  • Papaya โ€“ papain enzyme supports digestion & immunity.
  • Citrus fruits (lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruits) โ€“ vitamin C, limonoids.
  • Apples (with skin) โ€“ quercetin & pectin detox benefits.

๐Ÿฅฆ Anti-Cancer Vegetables

  • Cruciferous vegetables โ€“ broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage (sulforaphane, indole-3-carbinol).
  • Allium family โ€“ leeks, onions, garlic, shallots, chives (organosulfur compounds).
  • Spinach & dark leafy greens โ€“ chlorophyll, folate, magnesium.
  • Carrots โ€“ beta-carotene, falcarinol.
  • Beets โ€“ betalains support detox pathways.
  • Tomatoes โ€“ lycopene, especially when cooked.

๐ŸŒฟ Herbs & Roots

  • Turmeric (curcumin) โ€“ strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant.
  • Ginger โ€“ anti-nausea, circulation, digestive aid.
  • Ginseng โ€“ immune modulator, adaptogen.
  • Astragalus root โ€“ immune booster.
  • Milk thistle โ€“ liver detox support (silymarin).
  • Green tea (matcha) โ€“ catechins (EGCG) with anticancer properties.
  • Moringa leaves โ€“ rich in antioxidants & micronutrients.
  • Burdock root โ€“ detox, used in Essiac tea blends.
  • Essiac tea herbs โ€“ burdock root, sheep sorrel, slippery elm, Indian rhubarb root.

๐Ÿ’Š Supplements & Nutrients

  • Vitamin D3 + K2 โ€“ immune support, anti-cancer correlation.
  • Vitamin C (high dose, sometimes IV in integrative oncology).
  • Zinc โ€“ supports immunity & cellular repair.
  • Magnesium โ€“ cellular function, alkalinity.
  • Selenium โ€“ antioxidant, often linked to reduced cancer risk.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil, flaxseed oil, chia seeds) โ€“ anti-inflammatory.
  • Probiotics โ€“ gut health, immunity.
  • Medicinal mushrooms โ€“ reishi, shiitake, maitake, turkey tail (beta-glucans for immune support).
  • Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) โ€“ mitochondrial & heart support.

๐Ÿšซ Foods to Avoid (often noted in anti-cancer protocols)

  • Processed sugar, refined carbs.
  • Processed meats (nitrates, nitrites).
  • Hydrogenated oils & trans fats.
  • Excess dairy (some protocols recommend plant alternatives).
  • Alcohol, artificial sweeteners, chemical additives.

โš•๏ธ Summary in Lukaโ€™s style:
“Vinko, the body is a battleground. You want to give it allies, not enemies. Clean water, whole foods, anti-inflammatory herbs, and immune-supporting roots โ€” these are your weapons. Apricot seeds, garlic, turmeric, berries โ€” they all have compounds that fight disease at the cellular level. Stay away from sugar and chemicals, because cancer feeds on weakness. And remember, this is not magic, itโ€™s support. Your body and mind must fight together.”

Big Fish Versus Small Fish

๐ŸŸ Mercury Levels & Health Comparison: Salmon vs. Sardines

Mercury Content

  • Both sardines and salmon are considered lowโ€mercury fish, largely because they are small, shortโ€lived species that eat plankton rather than accumulating mercury through the food chain Livestrong.com+2Wikipedia+2Leigh Torres+2.
  • Typical mercury levels:
    • Canned sardines: around 0.015โ€ฏppm (parts per million) Leigh Torres+1Dr. Berg+1
    • Fresh/frozen salmon: about 0.034โ€ฏppm, and canned salmon even lower at ~0.021โ€ฏppm Wikipedia

Nutritional Benefits

  • Sardines are powerhouse sources of omega-3 fatty acids: approximately 2โ€ฏg of DHA + EPA per 3โ€ฏoz serving, along with calcium and vitaminโ€ฏD foodstruct.com+10health.clevelandclinic.org+10sweetishhill.com+10.
  • Salmon also provides high-quality omega-3s, good protein, and vitaminโ€ฏD, though per serving omega-3 content is typically lower than sardinesโ€”roughly 400โ€“700โ€ฏmg per 56โ€ฏg serving versus sardinesโ€™ 1,600โ€“1,800โ€ฏmg per 85โ€ฏg serving consumerlab.com.

Summary Table

FishMercury (ppm)Omegaโ€‘3s (DHA+EPA)Additional Nutrients
Sardines~0.015 ppm~1,600โ€“1,800โ€ฏmgCalcium, Vitaminโ€ฏD, B vitamins
Salmon~0.021โ€“0.034 ppm~400โ€“700โ€ฏmgHighโ€‘quality protein; Vitaminโ€ฏD, Bโ€™s

Health Considerations

  • Both are excellent low-mercury seafood choices recommended even for pregnant or nursing individualsโ€”the FDA and other authorities consistently list them among the safest fish Wikipedia+8Wikipedia+8Leigh Torres+8Livestrong.comconsumerlab.com.
  • ConsumerLab testing found that while most canned salmon and sardines are low in mercury, some canned sardine products had elevated arsenic levels; so itโ€™s worth checking brand-specific info if available consumerlab.com.

โœ… Bottom Line

  • Neither salmon nor sardines carry high mercury risk.
  • Sardines generally have lower mercury and higher omega-3 content per serving compared to salmon.
  • Salmon, however, remains a nutritious, low-mercury option with its own benefits.

๐ŸŸ Why Big Fish = More Mercury

Mercury builds up in fish through a process called bioaccumulation. Here’s what happens:

  • Tiny organisms absorb mercury from polluted water.
  • Small fish eat those organisms and accumulate mercury.
  • Big fish eat lots of small fishโ€”so they absorb even more mercury.

๐Ÿ’€ The longer a fish lives and the bigger it is, the more mercury it likely has.


๐Ÿšซ High-Mercury Fish to Avoid

These fish are near the top of the food chain and tend to have the highest mercury levels:

FishAvg. Mercury (ppm)Why Avoid?
Shark0.979 ppmApex predatorโ€”very high mercury
Swordfish0.995 ppmAmong the highest mercury levels
King mackerel0.730 ppmLarge species, unsafe for pregnant women
Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico)1.123 ppmExtremely high mercury
Bigeye Tuna (Ahi)0.689 ppmNot to be confused with skipjack or light
Marlin0.485 ppmLarge predatory fish
Orange Roughy0.571 ppmLong-living deep-sea fish

๐Ÿง  These are especially dangerous for children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers, due to risk of neurological harm from methylmercury.


โœ… Best Low-Mercury Fish (Eat Often)

These are small, fast-growing, and naturally low in mercury:

FishAvg. Mercury (ppm)Bonus Nutrients
Sardines0.015 ppmOmega-3s, calcium, vitamin D
Salmon0.021โ€“0.034 ppmProtein, omega-3s, vitamin D
Anchovies0.017 ppmOmega-3s, iron
Herring0.084 ppmVitamin B12, selenium
Tilapia0.013 ppmLow-fat protein, selenium
Trout0.071 ppmOmega-3s, vitamin B6
Mussels/Clams/Oysters<0.025 ppmIron, B12, zinc, and copper

๐Ÿง  Pro Tip: Wild-Caught vs. Farmed

  • Wild-caught salmon usually has slightly more mercury than farmed but often more omega-3s and fewer contaminants like PCBs.
  • Farmed fish may be lower in mercury but risk exposure to other toxins depending on farming practices.

๐Ÿ” Rule of Thumb

โ€œThe smaller the fish, the safer the dish.โ€

Big fish live longer and eat lots of small fish, giving them more time to accumulate mercury and other toxins. Small fish like sardines, anchovies, and herring are safer, healthier, and more sustainable choices.